John McColgan is a multi-award-winning producer and director. He was Head of Entertainment (RTÉ Television), Head of Weekend Entertainment (ITV/TVAM) and was awarded a Jacob’s Television Award (1980).  He played a key role in the evolution of Riverdance from the original seven-minute dance number to the full stage show.  He is founding director of Tyrone Productions whose productions include:   Quirke (BBC), Beckett on Film (C4), The Hunger (RTE/ARTE), David Brophy’s Choir Series (RTE) and Born to Riverdance (BBC).  John served as Chairman of the Abbey Theatre Centenary Committee and directed a critically acclaimed production of Dion Boucicault’s melodrama The Shaughraun. He produced a major theatrical event marking the State visit of Queen Elizabeth II to Ireland (2011).  John is the director of Heartbeat of Home which premiered in Dublin (2013), toured in North America and China and played in London’s West End (2019).  He holds an Honorary Doctorate of Law from the National University of Ireland. John is an accomplished photographer and is an Ambassador for Trócaire, one of Ireland’s largest development agencies.  His recent work includes the documentary “This is Palestine” and a book of his photography “Looking at the Same Moon”.